Port Adelaide Season 2012

[Rik E Boy]

Good win to start with.

Forward line looked potent with Butcher, Schulz and Big Stew looking dangerous. Westhoff looked out of sorts, but there were four big blokes moving around in the front 50 at times making it tough for at least one of them to get near it.

McCarthy, Ebert, Boak, Cassisi, Rodan and add Gray looks like a midfield that can give those big lads enough of a look at it.

Hartlett was superb across the back line and Carlile with Chaplin did a great tandem job on Reiwoldt and Kossi.

Surjan was beaten a couple of times on the ground by Milne, but Milne is clever and there is no disgrace in him beating you one on one a couple of times. All in all, Surj won the battle.

Redden was great in the first 15 minutes when we got 5 goals in front and all of a sudden with Big Stew playing well Renouf and Lobbe have got some work ahead of them to remove the incumbent from the ruck position.

Most people I think would have St.Kilda 8-12th and if we can compete like that with the other teams in that region ( Kanga's, Essendon, Sydney etc ) then we can expect to play well against the Melbourne, Richmond, Bulldogs of the comp. Early days, but after 2011 don't anyone get up me for being a little bit excited about how 2012 might pan out. I said "might".

I think 7-10 wins could be on the cards with the side building up nicely.

I prefer to think of it as 14-17 losses.

regards,

REB

[valleys07]

Should really give the Swans a crack this week, don't rate the Swans to highly and down here we are a real chance.

we havent beaten the Swannies since 2006, so we will have to play bloody well to knock them off IMO.

[Rik E Boy]

Bloody hell how unlucky is Robbie Gray. He did his knee today with 31 seconds remaining in the game. Fair dinkum he should take up Darts or something. Can't take a trick the poor bastard.

regards,

REB

[dedja]

Hope it doesn't end up like Trent Hentschel ... looked just as bad.

[whufc]

Bloody hell how unlucky is Robbie Gray. He did his knee today with 31 seconds remaining in the game. Fair dinkum he should take up Darts or something. Can't take a trick the poor bastard.

regards,

REB

Nah the Dart would probably bounce of the board and get him in the eye.

[CoverKing]

http://crowvertiser.com seem's to be getting a lot of notice by people on twitter.

LOL

[Turbo]

Port v rich next week will be an interesting one with both teams only on one win. Loser up against it for any chance of reaching the 8

[the joker]

Port v rich next week will be an interesting one with both teams only on one win. Loser up against it for any chance of reaching the 8

they are both up Against it now to make the 8, lose next week and go 1/5 and it's curtains

[Booney]

Port v rich next week will be an interesting one with both teams only on one win. Loser up against it for any chance of reaching the 8

they are both up Against it now to make the 8, lose next week and go 1/5 and it's curtains

Neither will make the 8, nor were they ever going to in 2012. This week has ZERO impact upon finals calculations.

[Jim05]

Could this week be the lowest crowd ever at AAMI for an AFL match?
The Kangaroos are traditionally a very poor crowd drawer and with plenty of Port fans furious at their clubs efforts, aswell as the 1:15 timeslot going head to head with 3 SANFL games plus local sport I can honestly see a crowd of around 10-15k and thats if the weather is good.

[Booney]

Might just be Jim, might just be.

The Kangas draw poor crowds at home, let alone away, so with two poor crowd pullers* playing we might see 12-13000. I'd guess at 16,000 absolute tops.

[Jim05]

Might just be Jim, might just be.

The Kangas draw poor crowds at home, let alone away, so with two poor crowd pullers* playing we might see 12-13000. I'd guess at 16,000 absolute tops.

A real pity.
It used to be funny seeing Port fail because I always felt it was a matter of time before they turned it around.
Cant believe im saying this but im starting to feel a little sorry for them, we need both AFL clubs ticking the turnstiles over.
Big decision time with fans brutal on Primus, i know the club cant afford to pay him out but if he stays on you will be lucky to get 10k to games for remainder of season

[Johno6]

looks like tarp sales might be through the roof this week

[whufc]

But how much of the Primus out brigade is driven by Rucci and his articles.

Was interesting to see Healy have a crack at him at half time of the freo/power game yesterday pretty much accused him of sniping, driving stories to promote his on career etc etc.

Was good to see Rucci skwerm on national t.v

I dont see enough Power games to form an opinion on Primus but just looking at the list its very thin and light on there at where there list suggest imho. Will be finishing around the likes of Brisbane and Melbourne.

In Westoff and Butcher you have talent but not an ounce of physical pressure, in the midfield there all battlers with no real 'Star' of the comp and the defence is very inconsisent with blokes like Carlile. Not a good mix for any side.

[Footy Smart]

But how much of the Primus out brigade is driven by Rucci and his articles.

Was interesting to see Healy have a crack at him at half time of the freo/power game yesterday pretty much accused him of sniping, driving stories to promote his on career etc etc.

Was good to see Rucci skwerm on national t.v

I dont see enough Power games to form an opinion on Primus but just looking at the list its very thin and light on there at where there list suggest imho. Will be finishing around the likes of Brisbane and Melbourne.

In Westoff and Butcher you have talent but not an ounce of physical pressure, in the midfield there all battlers with no real 'Star' of the comp and the defence is very inconsisent with blokes like Carlile. Not a good mix for any side.

Hutchy had a big crack at him on 5AA as well. IMO Primus isnt the coach to take this club forward, yet the list is in no shape to move FWD in its current state. Jacobs, Moore, Pittard are high draft failures (not saying they arent any good just not at the pick they were taken) Wingard looks like a good selection although alot of clubs would have passed on him had he still be available further down the list. Young looks ok, and worth persisting with, Trengrove is holding that defence up, Chaplins kicking is U14 standard, Carlisle looks like he doesnt wanna be there most of the time and the Midfield is struggling with Dom down on form and McArthy and Ebert the only ones getting reasonable ball... Boak gets the tag and isnt up around last years output. FWD pressure is an issue for sure as well. When you have to play blokes like Pfeiffer, Logan and Kornes(as a genuine ball winning midfielder not tagger) you are in trouble let alone Phillips and Hitchcock

The previous management, recruiting staff and now player list need a fair bit of blame not just the coach.

[whufc]

But how much of the Primus out brigade is driven by Rucci and his articles.

Was interesting to see Healy have a crack at him at half time of the freo/power game yesterday pretty much accused him of sniping, driving stories to promote his on career etc etc.

Was good to see Rucci skwerm on national t.v

I dont see enough Power games to form an opinion on Primus but just looking at the list its very thin and light on there at where there list suggest imho. Will be finishing around the likes of Brisbane and Melbourne.

In Westoff and Butcher you have talent but not an ounce of physical pressure, in the midfield there all battlers with no real 'Star' of the comp and the defence is very inconsisent with blokes like Carlile. Not a good mix for any side.

Hutchy had a big crack at him on 5AA as well. IMO Primus isnt the coach to take this club forward, yet the list is in no shape to move FWD in its current state. Jacobs, Moore, Pittard are high draft failures (not saying they arent any good just not at the pick they were taken) Wingard looks like a good selection although alot of clubs would have passed on him had he still be available further down the list. Young looks ok, and worth persisting with, Trengrove is holding that defence up, Chaplins kicking is U14 standard, Carlisle looks like he doesnt wanna be there most of the time and the Midfield is struggling with Dom down on form and McArthy and Ebert the only ones getting reasonable ball... Boak gets the tag and isnt up around last years output. FWD pressure is an issue for sure as well. When you have to play blokes like Pfeiffer, Logan and Kornes(as a genuine ball winning midfielder not tagger) you are in trouble let alone Phillips and Hitchcock

The previous management, recruiting staff and now player list need a fair bit of blame not just the coach.

Totally agree thats what i was getting at, i think Primus is paying for others mistakes. From my understanding how recruiting/drafts work is the coach has little say in which players are brought to the club except in trade week.

Realistically is there any other coach who could do better than Primus is and what would that mean they will finish 10-11 instead of 15-16! The list is not going to be a top 8 side no where near enough top end talent. Look at the sides who are expected to be around the 8-11 mark like Richmond and they still have the genuine stars in Deledio, Riewoldt, with the likes of Martin, Cotchin.around them. Port are nowhere near that.

[Jim05]

Correct, they are not a top 8 side no matter who the coach is but i still think his coaching leaves a lot to be desired. Cant believe this is the same team who beat the Saints and pushed us and Collingwood in Melbourne.
Their first instinct is always sideways, no one is prepared to take the game on, i would much rather a guy get pinged ir turn it over in the middle trying to have a crack than chip it sideways and still cough it up.
If the goals ran across the ground Port would kick 30 goals each week, they go all the way over 1 side and then chip it back all the way to the other side, then they cough it up still only 50m from goal.
Had to laugh when Jackovich interviewed Chaplin at HT and Chaplin accused the defenders of being to cute when he is the worst offender.
Must be frustrating because they can play good bursts of football

[saintal]

They played right into Freo's/Lyon's hands with that sideways, hesitant crap that Jim described above. Watched the first 3/4 and Port's skills were awful.

As for crowds, had a quick scan through through the online stats bible, and am I right in saying 14,113 is lowest crowd? (R20 v WCE, 2010)

[Footy Smart]

Correct, they are not a top 8 side no matter who the coach is but i still think his coaching leaves a lot to be desired. Cant believe this is the same team who beat the Saints and pushed us and Collingwood in Melbourne.
Their first instinct is always sideways, no one is prepared to take the game on, i would much rather a guy get pinged ir turn it over in the middle trying to have a crack than chip it sideways and still cough it up.
If the goals ran across the ground Port would kick 30 goals each week, they go all the way over 1 side and then chip it back all the way to the other side, then they cough it up still only 50m from goal.
Had to laugh when Jackovich interviewed Chaplin at HT and Chaplin accused the defenders of being to cute when he is the worst offender.
Must be frustrating because they can play good bursts of football

Chaplin is often the opposition's best player as a sturt fan watching him i couldnt believe he got selected for a game when he did....

Like I said I dont think Primus is solely to blame, but i dont think he is a great coach either. His selections have been terrible and his mentality to not run a tag has hurt them ie last night. Hill is the only player with some X factor in the Freo Midfield yet he ran free at most stoppages.... Hartlett (yes the best player) paid some closer attention on the odd stoppage

[Booney]

Pinpointed a few of our problems here, mostly down back.

Trengove - This bloke is seriously good. Reads the play well and hits in hard. One of our few shining lights in defence with a reliable Surjan.

Chaplin - Was groomed to replace Chad as the sweeper / third-man-up across the back half. Problem is, he does not cover well enough when the opposition has the ball and of late has been terrible with his decision making and skill execution*.

Carlile - Simply does not have the motor to run with the modern day power forward. Pavlich, Cloke et al run him ragged and he too is making poor decisions*.

Boak - Not playing anywhere near the level we think he can or need him to, again terrible disposal at the moment*.

I have put a * in these comments as the game plan used yesterday of going sideways after holding the ball in the back half after every ******* possesion will only give the defensive zone of opposing teams ( none more "zone" or "defensive" than a Lyon coached side ) time to set-up and give the forwards little to no room to move. Being harsh on anyone playing forward of centre for Port at the moment is a waste of time because they simply are not getting the supply.

Who is to blame? Well, if it is the coach who is telling them to play that way he might want to look for another gig. Williams went out the door when he played that way. Trying to play "keepies off" half way through the third quarter when you're 4 goals down with a team kicking at 40% efficiency is not going to win you games.

For mine, Primus has the remainder of 2012 to show us what he's got to offer or we are looking for another coach. His comments that statistics back up the fact we have improved are wearing thin. We won 3 games last year, when we have 4 wins in 2012 I'll say we've improved.

Sadly our skipper is fast becomming a weak link. Dom just cant match it with the runners he tries to chase, he has no "next gear" to hit when chasing or trying to breakout of a pack. Sure, his head is over the ball and he works his arse off but his lack of pace is not a welcome addition to a players kit bag in the modern game.

I could go on and on and on.....